IAN PURCELL AM

Ian Purcell AM has been working in a voluntary capacity for the gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender (GLBT) communities of Adelaide for over twenty years as a writer, activist, event coordinator, performer, fundraiser, media spokesperson and member of many boards and committees.

Ian was a Board member of Gay & Lesbian Community Services (formerly the Gay & Lesbian Counselling Service) between 1990-2008 and represented GLCS on various state government departmental committees. He has also been active on the committees of various other GLBT community organisations including the Let’s Get Equal Campaign to end legal discrimination against same sex couples in South Australia, Pride March Adelaide, the GLBT Community Safety Network, the Feast Lesbian & Gay Cultural Festival, Lesbian & Gay Community Action and the Parkestone Trust.   

Ian has received the SA Equal Opportunity Commission Award for Outstanding Service to the GLBT Community (2000), the Macquarie Financial Services/Blaze Media Lifetime Achievement Award for Community Service (2005). He was made a Member of the Order of Australia on Australia Day 2005 for services to the gay and lesbian communities. In 2006 he was inducted into the Feast Festival Hall of Fame.

Ian and his partner Stephen have been together for 18 years. They married in Canada in August 2006 during the 1st Outgames.

Why have you chosen to represent this same-sex law reform campaign?

It’s important for same sex couples, and indeed for everyone in the GLBT communities, to know which Federal laws have changed – there are a lot of them after all! Through this education campaign I hope I’ll be able to help people become aware of the advantages (and sometimes disadvantages) of these reforms. 

What sorts of same-sex discrimination have you experienced?

South Australia was the last state to recognise same sex couples (in 2008). The Let’s Get Equal Campaign (LGE), of which I was a member, fought a six year battle to achieve equality. In the same year, the Rudd Government finally introduced changes to Federal laws to end discrimination against same sex couples. Great! However, my husband Stephen & I have been together for 18 years (married in Canada in 2006) which means that for most of our lives together we were treated by both the State and the Commonwealth Governments as second-class citizens – as if we did not deserve the same rights as straight couples.

How do you think these reforms will make a difference to your life, or to the lives of those close to you?

Stephen & I feel safer because our relationship is now recognised and protected by the law. Our families have never been able to understand why the law has discriminated against our relationship. It seems that the law always takes a long time to catch up with popular opinion. As I said earlier, Stephen & I were married overseas. Our families cannot understand why the Federal Government will not legally recognise that ceremony.

Unfortunately there is a downside to some of the law reforms for friends of ours who receive Centrelink payments. I believe that the Government should have taken into account the very real financial difficulties these reforms are having on the most vulnerable members of the GLBT communities – the elderly, the disabled, couples with kids, people living with HIV/AIDS.

Why do you think people should wear these 85 law reforms with pride?

These reforms do not cover all areas of discrimination. However, having said that, those LGBT community groups and individuals who campaigned long and hard to achieve this historic victory deserve our thanks and pride. It’s a huge victory for equal rights. It’s not until you read the details of the law reforms on the Wear it with Pride website, that you realise how much has been achieved. Every one of these law reforms (expressed as a design on a T-shirt) should be worn like a victory medal – a badge of pride.

Why do you think this is a huge step forward for Australia?

Although we have not yet achieved the right to legally marry in Australia, the massive reform of laws affecting the rights of same sex couples at both State and Federal level means that Australia is way ahead of most other countries in this area of human rights.

This was probably unthinkable ten years ago. It means that the attitudes of middle Australia to GLBT people are changing.

What do you like about your T-Shirt design?

Great colours. Orange is back! Smart-looking gay couple (Stephen & I of course). The number 32 – my age (if you double it). And Stephen has long been an advocate for workers’ rights.

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